Throughout my childhood I watched my parents struggle financially because neither my father nor my mother had a college degree, which, in today’s economy, is a prerequisite for any decent paying occupation. As a result of this increased stress level, my father’s alcohol dependence became unbearable and often caused verbal disagreements within the household. It was ultimately these quarrels that destroyed the familial bond that the three of us once shared. Despite the negativity and stress that these experiences caused me, I learned two valuable life lessons; education is the key to success and money management is the key to economic stability. For thirteen years, my father would come home from his job as an auto detailer miserable and withdrawn because his hard work and dedication to the job was being taken advantage of. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about this without risking one of the few positions available to those without a high school diploma. As a result, he used copious amounts of alcohol to cope with his stress and frustration instead of confiding in his family for support and encouragement. This amount of alcohol, usually a thirty pack every two days, turned my father from a kind-hearted and jovial man into someone beyond recognition. While his erratic behavior never led to physical abuse, there was certainly emotional abuse and intimidation tactics used when he became frustrated or angry. For instance, I remember a time when my father and I were having a verbal disagreement in the car on our way home from visiting my maternal uncle in the hospital and he became so enraged that he slammed on the brakes in the middle of traffic. Once he continued to drive, he was doing so in an unsafe manner so my mother... ... middle of paper ... ...but somehow, through it all, they made our limited household income work. I was able to do things that I never dreamed I would have the ability to do and purchase things that I will treasure for the rest of my life. While my parents never wanted me to see the true detriment of our low socioeconomic status, it was hard for them to shield me from it as I grew older. I would hear the late night discussions and arguments between my parents of what to concede in order to pay the bills and I watched my father attempt to drink difficulties away daily but there was nothing I could do about it since they would not allow me to give up an opportunity of a lifetime because of the cost. Regardless of how it felt at the time, I now know the true value of an education and how essential money management is to surviving in today’s economy. These are the lessons I will never forget.
In the article “Children of Alcoholics” produced by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the author explains the negative effect of parental alcoholism on their children’s emotional wellbeing, when he writes, “Children with alcoholic parents are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, antisocial behavior, relationship difficulties, behavioral problems, and/or alcohol abuse. One recent study finds that children of drug-abusing fathers have the worst mental health issues (Children of Alcoholics 1). Walls reflects upon her childhood experiences in which her father would become drunk and not be able to control his behavior, as she writes, “After working on the bottle for a while, Dad turned into an angry-eyed stranger who threw around furniture and threatened to beat up Mom or anyone else who got in his way. When he’d had his fill of cussing and hollering and smashing things up, he’d collapse” (Walls 23). The Walls children, who frequently encounter their father’s abusive behavior, are affected mentally in the same way that national studies have shown. Jeanette Walls describes how, after drinking, her father’s behavior becomes cruel and intolerable through his use of profanity, threats, and angry, even violent, actions. In a conventional family, a parent has the responsibility of being a role model to influence their children in a positive way as they develop. Unfortunately, in the Walls family and other families with alcoholic parents, children are often subject to abuse and violence, which places them at risk, not only physically, but mentally. Rex’s irrational behavior when he is drunk is detrimental to the children’s upbringing, causing them to lose trust in their parents, have significantly lower self-esteem and confidence, and feel insecure. Rex’s behavior contributes to Jeanette’s
As a Latina growing up in New York City with parents from the Dominican Republic, I knew the difficulties of living in poverty. As a child, financial arguments were a common thing, budgets were strict and extra funds were low. However, when it came to education money was not a factor. Education was the solution to poverty, with a good education you’ll succeed and obtain a great job. I kept this mentality with me throughout my academic career. I completed my undergraduate studies in Rhetoric and Communications in hopes of starting a marketing career. That quickly changed when I started my first post-undergraduate job.
My story began on a cool summer’s night twenty short years ago. From my earliest memory, I recall my father’s disdain for pursuing education. “Quit school and get a job” was his motto. My mother, in contrast, valued education, but she would never put pressure on anyone: a sixty-five was passing, and there was no motivation to do better. As a child, my uncle was my major role-model. He was a living example of how one could strive for greatness with a proper education and hard work. At this tender age of seven, I knew little about how I would achieve my goals, but I knew that education and hard work were going to be valuable. However, all of my youthful fantasies for broader horizons vanished like smoke when school began.
I was raised in an encouraging household where both of my parents greatly valued education. Although they were high school graduates, neither could afford to attend college; a combination of family and financial woes ultimately halted their path. As a result, my parents frequently reminded me that getting a good education meant better opportunities for my future. To my parents, that seemed to be the overarching goal: a better life for me than the one they had. My parents wanted me to excel and supported me financially and emotionally of which the former was something their parents were not able to provide. Their desire to facilitate a change in my destiny is one of many essential events that contributed to my world view.
I grew up constantly seeing my parents suffer from choices they made when they were freshly graduated from high school. They always told me to go to college so I wouldn’t have to suffer from the same mistakes they made and I was going to do just that. I decided to take on the student loan debt and continue my education because I refused to settle immediately in life.
As a child, I didn't always understand the depth of my dad's addiction, or what it exactly meant. I didn't even view it as an addiction, rather just how things were. Living in a small house, there was no option to completely ignore it. The more he drank the more bellicose he became, and the more verbally abusive he became. Freshman year I wrote a letter to my dad because I'd decided that my passivity of the issue was no better than an endorsement of his behavior. I was angry with how he acted, and with myself for not knowing what to do about it. With my letter came empty promises: a promise to limit drinking, and a promise to
As Nelson Mandela once proclaimed, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Unfortunately, some students do not have the chance to take part in a college education. Not receiving a post-secondary education is a rising issue among those below the poverty line in the United States. In 2010, eighty-two percent of high income students continued their education into college; while in contrast, only fifty-two percent of students living in poverty had the opportunity to receive their college education. Poverty can be defined as having little to no money, goods, or means of support. Living below the line of poverty is an ongoing struggle for at least fifteen million young adults nation-wide, according to the Institute for Higher Education Policy. This accounts for at least forty-four percent of young adults. Currently, one person out of every four people living in poverty as an adult has earned their college degree; but somehow cannot escape the life of poverty, while eighteen percent of adults living in poverty dropped out of high school without even earning a GED or an equivalent degree (Low-Income). According to the New York State Department of Labor 2010 statistics, an individual with a Bachelor’s Degree will earn over fifty thousand dollars more per year than an individual who has only completed high school (Smith). Earning a college degree will not ensure escaping the life of poverty; however, it provides a solution to escape that lifestyle and gives an opportunity to move on to a more successful life that those living in poverty have only dreamed of.
I was born into poverty even before I was even born. My way of life was set even before my existence. Growing up I was strongly encouraged to dedicate my energy into my school work. Knowing that someday all that hard work and dedication will one day pay off. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I realized the true importance of going on to college really was. The only reason I excelled in my studies was because I was always enforced too, so when it came down to my decision to continue school I didn’t know what to do. I decided that even with a degree in today’s economy it won’t have much of an impact. But I couldn’t have been more wrong than ever. I eventually came to my own senses and decided for myself that all my years of being in school, planning for my future, long hours of hard work and perseverance shouldn’t go to waste. I shouldn’t waste my own intelligence and give up on what’s important. For me, a lower class civilian, the American dream is very much alive and achievable. And it guarantees a better life for me in the future. I decided to go to college because although I knew I should continue my education, I never realized how important it was for my future and well-being to have that knowledge and use it to better use. Although I may not come from wealth and will have to work twice as hard as the rest, I believe that as long as I remain
Severe mood swings, violent rages, memory loss—each of these problems were a part of my family life during the past two or three years. These problems are the result of alcoholism. Recently, a member of my family realized his abuse of alcohol was a major problem to not only himself, but also to those around him. He would lose control of his temper and often would not even remember doing it the next day. Alcohol became a part of his daily life including work, home, and any other activities. His problem was that of a "hidden" and "high-society" alcoholism. When he was threatened with the loss of his job and the possibility of losing his family, this man knew it was time to get help. After he reached his lowest point, he took the first step towards recovery—admitting his problem.
Education is a big factor when determining if someone is able to rise above a hard upbringing. Looking into the future, education is the foundation of a career and therefore one’s success. Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle, and Liz Murray, inspiration of Homeless to Harvard: Liz’s Murray’s Story, both agree that an education is necessary in order to be successful. Throughout their stories, they both worked hard in school and highly regarded their education. Jeannette’s mother Rose Mary agrees saying, “I’ve always believed in the value of a good education,” (Walls, 265). Many children take their education granted and don’t realize it is a privilege. Without a decent education, it will be nearly impossible to land a suitable job. With no job, it will be difficult to support yourself.
Education has always been a priority in my family. My father has come from very humble beginnings; where both of his parents were illiterate. He was raised on a farm with 16 brother and sisters. His parents put their blood and sweat into sending him to America in achieving the “American Dream”. My father had worked multiple jobs to support his family back home in Haiti. Today, my father owns his own taxi driving business stationed in New Jersey and New York City. My father has worked exceptionally hard in supporting and making sure I have all the necessity I need to mature as a person. My father’s parents not being able to read and not being able to assist him in his growing education has lead him to appreciate the idea of education in furthering a person's life. In addition, my father is able to provide for me more then his parents were able to provide for him educationally and financially
Education is a key aspect in everyone’s life that helps them prepare for future job opportunities and a higher standard of living. Unfortunately, education is harder to access for some individuals, and easier for others. For instance, many low-income families have trouble taking their child to school as a result of a lack of transportation. They also might not be able to make it to school or do homework after school because of family issues, such as having to take care of a family member or having to work after school hours. While these inconveniences are commonly found throughout the middle and lower class, this issue does not seem to occur in the higher-income families. High-income families can obtain advanced education opportunities, including attending elite private schools, while generally, low-income families cannot. In addition, impoverished individuals that decide to get a higher education after college can sometimes be drowning in debt once they get out of college. Conversely, the wealthy only have a small amount to pay off, if any at
Imagine living in a Beverly Hills estate, with the loveliest furniture and belongings money can buy, along with servants to tend your everyday needs. On the other hand, imagine living in a small, confined room with barely enough money to keep the water running. Both living in the same country, yet their lifestyles are so different. One has more money they will ever need and the other struggles with the basic necessities of life. Money immensely affects the way a child learns, and according to the articles “Inequality in the American Education System” by William H. Schmidt and “Inequality in Education” by Kevin D. Williamson, it shows how money affects education in America. It demonstrates how the lack of money causes most students living in poverty to have a hard time succeeding when they are older. While those with money will most likely become the future generation of businessmen and millionaires, others will have a hard time rising from the
Previously, if someone had asked me to describe myself to them, I would have had no idea how to respond. However, I have recently concluded that I am the sum of the lessons I have learned throughout my life, and I will continue to change and mature as I learn new things in the future. Although I have been learning and developing since the day I was born, I believe the height of my emotional maturity has taken place in high school. So, what better way to provide a sense of who I am, than to share some of the smallest, yet most important lessons I have learned?
At the age of 11, my parents decided to reunite, and this became my lifelong struggle with trust, mistrust and development of strength and courage to achieve my dreams and goals in life. My mother continued to work long, hard hours while my father golfed, gambled and drank, to what most people would consider “the extreme”. During my school years, I ran our household while my mom worked. I made sure the house was clean and dinner was always on the table for my father, which left no time for a social life. My dad was abusive towards my mom and I would feel helpless as I listened from my room to him physically and mentally abusing her. After many years of not having the courage to help her, I finally at the age of 16 gave her an ultimatum. Either she leaves the abusive relationship or I would leave, so I would not have to endear the pain of it any longer.